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Understanding Emotional Changes During Puberty

Puberty is a significant developmental stage for every teenager, marked not only by physical changes but also profound emotional transformations. This period, roughly between the ages of 10 and 14 for girls and 12 and 16 for boys, is characterised by a surge of hormones that can significantly affect a teenager's emotions.

The Role of Hormones

Hormones like testosterone and oestrogen are well-known for their role in physical development during puberty, such as growth spurts and sexual development. However, these hormones also play a crucial role in how the brain processes information and emotions. The influx of these hormones can contribute to increased emotional sensitivity and intensity. For instance, these hormonal changes can amplify feelings of happiness, but they can also intensify feelings of anger and frustration.

Common Emotional Changes During Puberty

• Mood Swings: One minute, everything is fine, and the next, it's a crisis. Mood swings are very common during puberty due to hormonal fluctuations.
• Increased Sensitivity: Many teenagers find themselves more sensitive to what others say and do. Comments or actions that might have been brushed off before can now provoke significant emotional reactions.
• Seeking Identity: During puberty, teens often begin a serious quest for their own identity. This can involve experimenting with different roles, behaviours, and groups to find where they fit in.
• Desire for Independence: The drive to become more independent is strong during puberty. This often leads to conflicts with parents and caregivers, as teens start to push boundaries.
• Intense Feelings of Pressure: Teens might feel an intense pressure to conform to social norms or to excel in school, sports, or other areas.

Real-Life Impact on Teenagers

The emotional rollercoaster of puberty doesn't just affect teens; it can also have a significant impact on their relationships and daily life. Frequent mood swings and a developing sense of self can lead to conflict at home as teens start to assert their independence. They may also experience changes in their friendship dynamics, as differing rates of emotional and physical development can temporarily distance friends from one another.

Academically, the emotional changes during puberty might affect concentration and motivation. Emotional instability can make it difficult for teens to focus on their studies or maintain consistent performance in school. These changes can also affect self-esteem and body image, especially as bodies change and the focus on appearance intensifies. This, in turn, can lead to social anxiety or withdrawal.

Practical Strategies for Managing Emotional Changes

1. Recognising and Validating Emotions

It's important for teenagers to understand that what they're experiencing is normal and that everyone going through puberty faces similar challenges. Acknowledging and expressing feelings can dramatically reduce their intensity. Journaling or talking to someone trustworthy like a friend, family member, or counsellor can be beneficial.

2. Establishing a Routine

Maintaining a regular schedule for eating, sleeping, and physical activity can help stabilise mood swings. Exercise, in particular, is excellent for managing stress, improving mood, and boosting overall health.

3. Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

When feelings become overwhelming, it's crucial to have strategies in place to cope. This can include relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or mindfulness meditation. Creative outlets like music, art, or writing also provide emotional release and distraction from stress.

4. Building a Support Network

Staying connected with friends and family can provide crucial emotional support. Additionally, joining clubs or teams can help teens feel part of a community, reducing feelings of isolation and boosting mood.

5. Seeking Professional Help

If emotional challenges become too much to handle, professional help from a counsellor or therapist can be beneficial. These professionals can provide strategies and support tailored to individual needs.

Conclusion

While puberty is often described as a challenging time, it also presents an opportunity for significant growth and self-discovery. Understanding and managing the emotional changes that come with puberty can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling adolescent life. While it may not be easy, with the right strategies and support, navigating these emotional changes can be much more manageable.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.